Sewing machine



Dec. 6, 1938. c. M. TOSKEY ET AL SEWING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l brnnb n rtttmtllttt frzz/erz nsr 6726-54 6 755/ 1938. c. M. TOSKEY ET AL 2,139,425

SEWING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mm m a 1; of MFE fi 5 a Z a n r 2% 0J6 Patented Dec. 6, 1938 SEWING MACHINE Application October 5, 1936, Serial No. 104,032

18 Claims. (Cl. 112-237) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Our invention relates to sewing machines and has to do more particularly with an impro'ed construction for adjusting a presser bar, whereby the machine may be used alternatively for sewing or for darning.

An object of our invention is to provide a device of the type referred to which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to fabricate, easily adjusted by one who is mechanically unskilled,

rugged, foolproof, and, in general, entirely satisfactory for the desired purpose.

A further object is to provide means whereby a presser bar may be adjusted either for sewing or darning by a quick and simple movement, said means being provided without modifying the standard construction of the presser bar itself. Said means comprises parts which may be made inexpensively with standard machine shop equipment.

In accordance with our invention, we may use a presser bar of solid and substantially uniform thickness throughout its length. This is considered a great improvement over previously known constructions, such as that shown in Corson Patent 2,012,157, dated August 20, 1935, wherein the presser bar must be specially machined.

Our invention further contemplates means for regulating the pressure of the presser bar, in combination with means for providing sewing and darning adjustments.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings forming a part of this specification and illustrating certain preferred forms of our invention:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, with parts cut away, of a sewing machine housing, presser foot and associated mechanism embodying our invention, the parts being in position for sewing;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to Fig. l, but showing the parts in position for darning;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the same, the presser bar being elevated;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation showing a different embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and showing the parts in a different position of adjustment;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of still another embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the same.

Referring first to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-3, inclusive, the numeral l0 refers to a housing forming a part of the sewing machine head. Said part l0 serves as a housing for the needle bar l2 and mechanism for operating the same (not shown) and for the presser bar 15 carrying a presser foot it, the latter being retained by headed screw I'I.

The presser bar [5 is mounted for vertical sliding movement in the housing I0, alined vertical bores l8 and i9 being provided respectively in the upper wall 20 and lower wall 2| of the housing. The upper bore I8 is closed by means of a plug 22.

A boss 23 extends inwardly from the side wall 24 of the housing, said boss being perforated to serve as a journal for a bar 27. The bar 27 intermediate its ends is provided with screw threads 30 which engage a tapped bore of a block 32 which is mounted for vertical sliding movement on the presser bar IS. The upper end of bar 21 seats in a bore 33 in the upper wall of the housing and said bar is provided with a notch 34 at its upper end for engagement with a screw driver or similar tool. Bar 21 carries a bracket 35 for manual adjustment purposes, as will be described below. The bracket 35 comprises a finger piece 36 and a pair of cars 31, 31 threaded on the bar 21, said ears being connected by a web portion 38. Secured to the bar 21 below the lowermost ear 3'! is a disk 38.

The bracket 35 extends through openings in the side wall 24 of the housing and in a plate P secured to said side wall, said plate having a bayonet slot 42 therein.

Fixed to the presser bar I5 by means of a set screw 40 is a block 4| having a lug 43 extending laterally therefrom through a slot 44 formed in the side wall 24 of the housing and arranged on the bar 15 between the blocks 4| and 32 is a helical compression spring 45.

A manipulating member 41 is secured to the side wall 24 by means of a screw 48, said manipulating member comprising a handle portion 48, a crank portion 50 and a cam portion 5|. As seen clearly in Fig. 3, the cam surface 51 terminates in a notch 52 forming a seat for engaging the member 43 and locking the presser bar in elevated position.

In operation for sewing, the presser bar [5 is normally in position as shown in Fig. 1, the spring 45 acting to urge the bar and foot to its utmost extended position. Should it be desired moving the block 32 vertically to increase or reduce the compression on the spring. 45. When itis desired to raise the presser foot, in

sewing or darning, the manipulating member 41 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 3, whereby the cam surface 5| urges the lug 43 upwardly, locking the same in the notch 52 of the cam the bracket 35 from the bayonet slot 42, releasing the pressure of spring 45 on the presser bar and allowing the parts to take the position shown in Fig. 2.

Turning to'the embodiment of Figs. 4-6 inclusive, said embodiment discloses an alternative arrangement for accomplishing-substantially the same purpose. The numeral Ilia represents the housing and l5a the presser bar which is mounted for vertical sliding movement as in the previously described embodiment. ,A block 55 is secured on the presser bar serving to retain on said bar a helical compression spring 56. J

A vertical slot 58 is provided in the side wall of the housing, and extending through said slot is a stud 60 having a knurled manipulating knob 6| at its outer end and a cam 63 secured at its inner end, said cam consisting of a disk eccentrically secured to said stud and provided with a flat surface 63'.

An L-shaped bracket 65 is provided, the stud 60 extending loosely through one of its legs 850. while the presser bar lid is slidably ioumaled in the other leg 65b. A screw 68 having a knurled head 69 is threaded through a tapped bore in the top wall of the housing, extending loosely through an opening in the leg 65b of the L-shaped bracket, and is adapted to bear against the cam 63.-

The presser bar may be elevated from the work by means (not shown) similar or equivalent to the member 41 and block 4| shown in Figs. 1-3.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Figs. 4-6 is quite simple. It will be apparent that the compressive force of the spring 56 may readily be adjusted by means of the screw 68, which limits the upward movement of bracket 65, and hence limits the expansion of the spring. When it is desired to use the machine for sewing, the cam 63 is arranged as shown in Fig. 6, with the flat surface 63' bearing against the end of the screw 68 and the angular bracket 65 thus retaining the helical spring 56 under increased compression. When it is desired to adjust the machine for darning, the stud 60 and cam 63 are rotated by means of the knurled member ii to a position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, thus permitting a release of the spring 56 andpermittlng it 16a of an angular bracket 16, the other leg lib being slidably arranged on the bar lBb.

Adjustment of the spring tension is provided by means of an angular member 80 having a leg 80a bearing against the cam 13, the other leg 80b being disposed against the outer side wall of the housing and having its inside surface corrugated as at 8|. The leg 80b terminates in a Adjustment is made for darning by disengaging bifurcated portion 82 straddling a screw 83 threaded into the face plate.

Elevating means (not shown) for the presser bar may be as described and shown for the embodiment of Figs. 1-3.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Figs.,7-9 is substantially similar to that shown 7 in Figs. 4-6 with the exception that adjustment of the spring tension is obtained by means of the bracket 80, the screw '83 being loosened, said bracket being moved vertically on said screw by means of the bifurcated bracket and the screw then being tightened again. However, the presser bar is arranged for darning or sewing by means of the cam "controlled by the knob 15 in thesame manner as in the embodiment of Figs. 4-6.

Various other modifications and variations coming within the spirit of our invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and hence we do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown herein or uses mentioned, except to the extent indicated in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted as broadly as the state of the art will permit.

We claim:

1. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar which is solid and of uniform thickness throughout substantially its entire length, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar and serving as a stop for one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, and laterally offset manipulating means acting on said slidable member for providing a pair of vertical adjustments therefor, whereby the spring pressure onsaid bar may be alternatively arranged for sewing or for darning.

2. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar and serving as a stop for one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member projecting laterally from said bar, and a manipulating member connected to said slidable member and arranged to provide a pair of vertical adjustments thereon, whereby the spring pressure on said bar may be alternatively adjusted for sewing or for darning.

3. In a device of the class described and in combination, a. presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar and serving as a stop for one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, laterally ofiset manipulating means acting on said slidable member for providing a pair of vertical adjustments therefor, whereby the spring pressure on said bar may be alternatively arranged for sewing or for darning, and means for providing a relatively large number of adjustments of said slidable member.

4. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring' coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar and serving as a stop for one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member projecting laterally from said bar, a manipulating member connected to said slidable member and arranged to provide a pair of vertical adjustments thereon, whereby the spring pressure on said bar may be alternatively adjusted for sewing or for darning, and means acting on said slidable member for providing a relatively large number of adjustments of said slidable member.

5. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said presser bar, a member fixed to said bar and serving as a stop for one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having a laterally ofiset portion, manipulating means for providing a pair of vertical adjustments of said slidable member whereby the spring pressure on said bar may be arranged for sewing or for darning, and means connecting said manipulating means and said slidable member for providing a plurality of adjustments of said slidable member.

6. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said presser bar, a member fixed to said bar and serving as a stop for one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having a laterally ofiset portion, manipulating means for providing a pair of vertical adjustments of said slidable member whereby the spring pressure on said bar may be arranged for sewing or for darning, and vertically adjustable means for controlling the effect of said manipulating means on said spring.

7. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar serving as a stop for limiting one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having an offset portion, a screw member threaded through said ofiset portion parallel to said bar, and manipulating means journaling said screw member and arranged for adjustment in a pair of vertically spaced posi tions whereby the spring pressure on said bar may be alternatively adjusted for sewing or for darning.

8. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar serving as a stop for limiting one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having an offset portion, a manipulating member connected to said slidable member and arranged for adjustment in a pair of vertically spaced positions, whereby the spring pressure on said bar may be arranged for sewing or for darning, and means cooperating with said manipulating means for providing a relatively large number of adjustments of said spring pressure.

9. In a device of the class described and in combination, a. presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar serving as a stop for limiting one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having an offset portion, a manipulating member secured to said slidable member, means fixed to said manipulating member for providing a pair of vertical adjustments of said slidable member whereby the spring pressure on said bar may be alternatively adjusted for sewing or daming, and means cooperating with said last mentioned means for providing a relatively large number of adjustments of said spring pressure.

10. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar serving as a stop for limiting one end 01' said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having an ofiset portion, a screw threaded through said offset portion parallel to said bar, a manipulating member journaling said screw, and means for retaining said manipulating member in a pair of vertically spaced positions, whereby the spring tension may be alternatively adjusted for sewing or for darning.

11. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar serving as a stop for limiting one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having an offset portion, a manually rotatable shaft journaled in said offset portion and having a cam fixed thereto providing a pair of vertically spaced positions for said slidable member, whereby the spring tension may be alternatively adjusted for sewing or for darning, and a member engaging said cam for limiting its vertical movement against the action of said spring, said last mentioned member being adjustable in a relatively large number of vertically spaced positions.

12. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said presser bar, a member fixed to said bar and serving as a stop for one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having a laterally oiiset portion, manipulating means for providing a pair of vertical adjustments of said slidable member whereby the spring pressure on said bar may be arranged for sewing or for darning, and screw means connecting said manipulating means and said slidable member for providing a plurality of adjustments of said slidable member.

13. A device as defined in claim 5 wherein said presser bar is solid and of substantially uniform thickness throughout substantially its entire length.

14. A device as defined in claim 12 wherein said presser bar is solid and of substantially uniform thickness throughout substantially its entire length.

15. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar serving as a stop for one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having an offset portion, a manually rotatable shaft journaled in said offset portion and having a cam fixed thereto providing a pair of vertically spaced positions for said slidable member, whereby the spring tension may be alternatively adjusted for sewing or for darning, and means movable longitudinally of said bar for providing a relatively large number of adjusted positions for said shaft.

16. In a device of the class described and in combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar serving as a stop for one end of said spring, a member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having an offset portion, a manually rotatable shaft journaled in said offset portion and having a cam fixed thereto providing a pair of vertically spaced positions for said slidable member,

providing a relatively large number ofadJrust ments for the tension of said spring.

- 17. In a. device of the class described in Y Y combination, a presser bar, a helical spring coiled on said bar, a member fixed to said bar's'erving as a stopior one end of said spring, a member slidable on' said bar and serving asa stop for the other end of said spring, said slidable member having an oifsetportio'n, a manually rotatable shaft journaled in said offset portion and having a cam fixed thereto providing a pair of. vertically spaced positions for said slidabie member, whereby the spring tension may be alternatively adjusted for sewing or for darning, and clamping means movable longitudinally of said bar for misuse. v whereby the spring tension may be alternatlvelyi adjusted for sewing or for darning. and fa screwengaging said cam for limiting its vertical movement against the action of said spring-and'i'or providing a relatively large number of adjusted positions for said shaft.

.18. In a device of the class described and in combination, a preser bar, a helical spring coiled -on said bar, a member fixed to said bar and serving as a stop for one end of said spring, a. member slidable on said bar and serving as a stop for the other, end 01' said spring, said slidable member projecting laterally from saidv bar, a

manipulating member connected to said slidable member and arranged to provide a pair of verti cal adjustments thereon, whereby the spring pressure on said bar may be alternatively adjusted for sewing or for daming. and clamping means movable longitudinally of said bar for providing a relatively large number of adjusted positionsfor said manipulating member.

CHESTER M. TOSKEY. JOHN D. FEENEY. CHARLES E. COLEGROVE.

CERTIFICATE OF- CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,139,126.

December 6, 1958 CHES I'ER li. TOSKEY, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 2, for the words "face plate read housing; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of liarch,.A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

